A Galway man unemployed for almost a year has used an innovative strategy in an attempt to find a new job.
Féilim Mac An Iomaire from Connemara, who has gained the nickname "Jobless Paddy" in his thus-far fruitless search, has rented a billboard in Dublin in order to highlight his plight.
The double-sided advertisement depicts Mac An Iomaire, who admits to being on the brink of emigrating, standing on a shore with a suitcase in hand, looking out on a horizon of famous foreign landmarks including the Houses of Parliament in Britain, Sydney Opera House and Statue of Liberty.
It carries the caption, "Save me from emigration. For more information and my CV, contact joblesspaddy@gmail.com."
Mr. Mac An Iomaire (26) said he was motivated to take action after nine months of fruitless job seeking. The university graduate returned from a year working in Australia last August and since then has applied for more than 100 jobs, but without success.
He says he does not want to leave Ireland again and would prefer to stay here to develop his career, but he says that if he does not get a job by the end of June, he will be forced to emigrate.
Interested in social marketing, Mac An Iomaire, who is qualified and has experience in sales and marketing, launched a Facebook and Twitter campaign in tandem with his billboard advert.
